Monday 29 July 1940

Monday 29 July 1940

Convoy off Dover raided.

Night: Activity on a reduced scale over land.

Weather: Fair all over Britain. Thames Estuary and Dover hazy.

Main Activity:

At 0734 hours, a large formation comprising forty-eight Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers from IV/LG 1, II/StG 1, and II/StG 3, escorted by eighty Bf 109s from JG 51 and III/JG 26, crossed the Channel to attack Dover Harbour. Spitfires from Nos. 41 and 64 Squadrons along with Hurricanes from Nos. 56 and 501 Squadrons were scrambled to intercept, shooting down three Stukas and damaging six other German aircraft including four Bf 109s, which crash-landed in France. Two RAF fighters were lost and several more damaged. The steamer SS Gronland and patrol yacht Gulzar were sunk by the Stukas. HMS Sandhurst was also destroyed.

At 1300 hours, a small formation of Ju 88s from II/KG 76 attacked trawlers off Dungeness at very low level. No damage was caused but one bomber was destroyed when it flew into a barrage balloon cable and another was shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

At about 1720 hours, eleven Bf 110 fighter-bombers from ErprGr 210, escorted by thirty Bf 110 fighters of ZG 26, attacked the convoy codenamed CAT off Harwich. Several RAF squadrons were scrambled to intercept but only Hurricanes of No. 151 Squadron engaged. Two Hurricanes were damaged and force-landed. A Bf 110 fighter-bomber was also damaged. Two ships in the convoy were hit.